"Let me rephrase and ask again. Facing the 'White Night Demon Lord'—the star spirit of the sun and the white night, Shiroyasha—do you wish t
"Let me rephrase and ask again. Facing the 'White Night Demon Lord'—the star spirit of the sun and the white night, Shiroyasha—do you wish to 'challenge' this trial, or engage in an equal 'duel'?"
Shiroyasha smiled faintly at the four. The aura of the Demon Lord Shiroyasha, unexpected from the girl's smile, stunned the three young men.
"Star spirit" refers to the principal spirits inhabiting planets of planetary size or larger. They are the highest-ranking race among fairies, oni, demons, etc., and also the "givers" of Gifts.
Sakamaki Izayoi felt a pleasant chill down his spine, watching Shiroyasha and smiling.
"A horizontally moving sun… is that it? White night and Yaksha. Did you create the horizontally moving sun and this land?"
"Indeed. This snowfield and White Night Lake, and the sun that faintly illuminates this eternal world, are among my playgrounds."
Shiroyasha spread her arms, and the clouds on the horizon instantly split, revealing a sliver of the sun.
The star spirit of the "White Night." The "White Night," as Sakamaki Izayoi mentioned, is a phenomenon where the sun never sets, visible in specific latitude regions of Nordic countries like Finland and Norway.
"Yaksha," in addition to being a deity of water and earth, is also an oni with a ferocious aspect.
In Little Garden, where many Asura gods and demons gather, "Star Spirits" are known as the strongest race of "deities."
Shiroyasha before them was a powerful "Demon Lord" who could represent Little Garden.
"Such a vast land, just a playground…?!"
"Indeed. So, what's your answer? If it's a 'challenge,' I'll go easy and play with you. —But, a 'duel' is a different story. As a Demon Lord, I will stake my life and honor in a battle against you."
Kudou Asuka, Kasukabe Yō, and even the arrogant Sakamaki Izayoi hesitated, unable to answer immediately. They didn't know Shiroyasha's Gifts, but the lack of any chance of victory was clear. However, they had initiated this; backing down now would be a blow to their pride.
Kuro Usagi breathed a sigh of relief. While the problem children were troublesome, at least they weren't stupid; they knew when to retreat.
Since Sakamaki Izayoi and the others wouldn't dare challenge her, the mature and steady Arthas-sama certainly wouldn't accept either, she thought.
As Kuro Usagi thought this, Arthas stepped forward, staring at Shiroyasha.
"If I win the challenge… what will I get?"
Ah… no way. Arthas-sama wouldn't actually defeat Shiroyasha-sama; he's just joking, Kuro Usagi thought.
Shiroyasha, however, answered seriously.
"I said, as a Demon Lord, I will stake my honor and life in battle. If you win, you will naturally receive everything I possess."
What…? Why is Shiroyasha-sama answering so seriously? Arthas-sama would never challenge her, Kuro Usagi thought.
Kuro Usagi continued to reassure herself, but her legs trembled uncontrollably.
Arthas, watching Shiroyasha's casual, faintly smiling reply, showed interest.
"Since you can grant Gifts, can you grant me the Gift of freely traveling between worlds?"
Arthas asked. Shiroyasha paused, then looked at Arthas strangely.
"Interesting. Are you dissatisfied with Little Garden and want to leave?"
"No, I have important people in other worlds, so I at least want to bring them here."
"I see… the Gift of freely traversing worlds does exist, but it's extremely high-level. It's beyond your reach."
Shiroyasha stared intently at Arthas.
"If you want to learn about this, defeat me first. Let me see if you're worthy."
"As you wish…"
Arthas stared at Shiroyasha, a small figure radiating an aura of an endless abyss, and said each word slowly, then assumed a fighting stance.
Kuro Usagi remained frozen, reassuring herself that a fight wouldn't break out, when Arthas's words sent her straight to hell.
No way… I must have misheard. He can't actually be challenging Shiroyasha-sama!
Kuro Usagi continued to mentally deny it, until the spreading chill made her shiver uncontrollably.
"Idiot, what are you doing standing there? Run!"
Sakamaki Izayoi yelled at Kuro Usagi, already turning to run towards the distant horizon.
"Seriously… aren't you a man? You have no gentlemanly spirit at all."
Kudou Asuka grumbled, though she didn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation. Her instincts told her to get away quickly, so she followed. Kasukabe Yō grabbed the still-dazed Kuro Usagi, and the four fled, putting distance between themselves and the spreading cold.
Sakamaki Izayoi's choice proved correct. Shortly after they left Shiroyasha and Arthas, the accumulated cold reached its peak, exploding in a spectacular display.
Ice spikes shot up from the ground, instantly transforming Shiroyasha's empty world into a frozen wasteland.
"Oh oh oh… this looks like a good show."
Having apparently reached a safe distance, Sakamaki Izayoi stopped, turning to watch the scene from afar.
Shiroyasha's world seemed to strongly suppress Arthas's power. While the spectacle was still grand, Arthas's aura was undoubtedly weaker than during his battle with the Serpent God at the edge of the world earlier that day—a battle Sakamaki Izayoi hadn't even dared to watch.
"T-too reckless! He can't possibly win! Fighting Shiroyasha-sama… it's impossible!"
Only then did Kuro Usagi finally regain her senses, speaking in a near-sobbing voice.
She wanted to stop the fight, but Kasukabe Yō held her firmly.
"Since Arthas is our companion, we should respect his decision."
Staring at Kuro Usagi, Kasukabe Yō spoke with unusual seriousness.
"But he's our companion… how can we just watch Arthas-sama go to his death?!"
"He's not going to die!"
Sakamaki Izayoi shook his head, stepping forward. His black eyes, fixed on the distant white world, shone with an indescribable light.
"As Shiroyasha said, this is also a battle where he's staking his life and honor! If you truly respect Arthas and consider him your companion, don't interfere!"
Kuro Usagi said nothing more, only watching the distance with worried eyes, silently praying.
Please… win, Arthas-sama.
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